The Art League’s holiday open house kicks off the holiday season with much fanfare, including a live steamroller printing demonstration and a fashion show. Stick around through the weekend and get your holiday shopping done in one fell swoop to boot.

W Hotel offers a titillating way to shake off holiday stress with cocktails and the art of burlesque with New York’s Hazel Honeysuckle, Penny Wren and Evelyn Vinyl with host Matthew Holtzclaw. As if that weren’t enough, $8 cocktail specials will also be on hand.

Kids antsy after turkey day? Inject a little intrigue into post-Thanksgiving doldrums with an afternoon chatting with former CIA intelligence officer-turned-author Melissa Mahle. Find out what it’s really like to be an international woman of mystery and learn more about Mahle’s books.

Engage in a little film talk with famed Polish director Agnieszka Holland (“Europa, Europa” “Angry Harvest”), who discusses her new film “In Darkness” and HBO miniseries “Burning Bush.” Full screening of “In Darkness” follows the lecture.

Get into the holiday spirit and help raise funds for a good cause at Loews Madison’s “ugly” sweater party, benefiting Capital Area Food Bank. Participating guests have two chances to win a free night’s stay at the swanky historic hotel. Bring two non-perishable food items and enter a raffle for a free night’s stay, or enter the hotel’s ugliest sweater Instagram contest. From now until Dec. 2, follow LoewsHotels on Instagram, then post a picture of yourself in your ugliest sweater with the hashtag #MerryMadison and tag @LoewsHotels. Every photo earns a dollar towards Capital Area Food Bank. The winner of the contest gets a free night at the hotel.

Hazel Honeysuckle

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FYIDC: Best Bets Pre- and post-Thanksgiving Day events to round out your holiday season.